What is Swasthya Sathi ?

Introduction:

Swasthya Sathi is a flagship health insurance scheme launched by the government of West Bengal in 2016. The scheme aims to provide financial protection to the people of the state against the high cost of medical treatment. The scheme is unique in many ways, and it has received wide appreciation from people across the state.

In this article, we will discuss Swasthya Sathi in detail, including its features, benefits, eligibility criteria, and other important aspects.

Features of Swasthya Sathi:

Swasthya Sathi is a comprehensive health insurance scheme that covers a wide range of medical expenses, including hospitalization expenses, surgical expenses, and diagnostic tests. The scheme provides cashless treatment to the beneficiaries in more than 2,000 hospitals across the state.

One of the key features of Swasthya Sathi is that it covers both primary and secondary healthcare services. Under the scheme, beneficiaries can avail of medical services at government hospitals, private hospitals, and nursing homes.

Another important feature of Swasthya Sathi is that it covers pre-existing diseases from day one. This means that beneficiaries can avail of medical treatment for pre-existing conditions without any waiting period.

Benefits of Swasthya Sathi:

Swasthya Sathi provides several benefits to the people of West Bengal, including:

1. Financial protection: Swasthya Sathi provides financial protection to the beneficiaries against the high cost of medical treatment. This ensures that people can avail of medical treatment without worrying about the financial burden.
2. Cashless treatment: Swasthya Sathi provides cashless treatment to the beneficiaries in more than 2,000 hospitals across the state. This means that beneficiaries do not have to pay anything out of their pockets for medical treatment.
3. Comprehensive coverage: Swasthya Sathi covers a wide range of medical expenses, including hospitalization expenses, surgical expenses, and diagnostic tests. This ensures that beneficiaries can avail of all necessary medical services without any financial constraint.
4. No waiting period: Swasthya Sathi covers pre-existing diseases from day one. This means that beneficiaries can avail of medical treatment for pre-existing conditions without any waiting period.

Eligibility criteria for Swasthya Sathi:

To avail of the benefits of Swasthya Sathi, beneficiaries must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. The beneficiary must be a resident of West Bengal.
2. The beneficiary must be between 18 and 65 years of age.
3. The beneficiary must belong to a family with an annual income of less than Rs. 1.5 lakh.
4. The beneficiary must not be a government employee or a pensioner.
5. The beneficiary must not be covered under any other health insurance scheme.

How to apply for Swasthya Sathi:

To apply for Swasthya Sathi, beneficiaries can follow the below steps:

1. Visit the official website of Swasthya Sathi.
2. Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button.
3. Fill in the application form with the required details, including personal details, family details, and income details.
4. Upload the necessary documents, including Aadhaar card, income certificate, and address proof.
5. Submit the application form.
6. Once the application is verified, the beneficiary will receive a Swasthya Sathi card.
7. The beneficiary can use the Swasthya Sathi card to avail of medical treatment at any empanelled hospital.

Conclusion:

Swasthya Sathi is a comprehensive health insurance scheme launched by the government of West Bengal to provide financial protection to the people of the state against the high cost of medical treatment. The scheme covers a wide range of medical expenses, including hospitalization expenses, surgical expenses, and diagnostic tests.